ArkSmith Design

ArkSmith Design Owner Erik Karstan Smith brings over 30 years of experience in residential and commercial design

Making good progress on the Cross Gable- Gable Cross Church. I love the structural detailing in this state of constructi...
04/28/2026

Making good progress on the Cross Gable- Gable Cross Church. I love the structural detailing in this state of construction. Very reminiscent of classic cathedrals.

Small Mountain Worship Center. Early in the design phase.
10/11/2024

Small Mountain Worship Center.

Early in the design phase.

Apartment complex in Lodi California. Nearing the completion of the Design Review Phase. 12 Units total. 900 sqft 2-bedr...
09/08/2024

Apartment complex in Lodi California. Nearing the completion of the Design Review Phase.

12 Units total. 900 sqft 2-bedroom 2-bathrooms. Private laundry, fitness center, community gardens, children's park, Storage/Garage units.

Projected construction summer 2025.

Under construction. Beautiful custom home designed by me in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. 3 bedroom 4-1/2 bath, 4,000 sqf...
07/11/2024

Under construction. Beautiful custom home designed by me in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. 3 bedroom 4-1/2 bath, 4,000 sqft conditioned, 3,000 sqft 8 car garage. Porte Cochere covered entrance, office with glass wall, open floor plan great room, amazing endless southern view over mountain range to the valley. Master suite with 400 sqft walk in closet. Guest bedrooms are suites with views. Spectacular! Great clients make great architecture possible!

Client asked me to design a cool swimming pool and spa chill space next to the awesome home I designed for them. Home is...
07/11/2024

Client asked me to design a cool swimming pool and spa chill space next to the awesome home I designed for them. Home is in construction. What do you think?

An amazing two story deck 100’ over the river! The client wanted a dramatic deck that would showcase the cabin’s proximi...
10/28/2023

An amazing two story deck 100’ over the river!

The client wanted a dramatic deck that would showcase the cabin’s proximity to the river. We delivered with this incredible deck. Ipe decking, timber frame construction, custom metal work, custom handrail system and drama!

I have told clients for many years that we have the best builders in these mountains. We are up against steep sites, high elevation, rugged terrain, snow, lava caps, big trees and so much more.

Setting the posts required block and tackle. The boulders required special pinning. Everything about this deck was hard. And Ted Radetich and his team crushed it!

This is the cabin people come up to these mountains to visit. Great clients make great projects!

Before and after.Hunter Family Mountain Cabin Retreat.This cabin used to be the office of the local water district that ...
08/25/2023

Before and after.

Hunter Family Mountain Cabin Retreat.

This cabin used to be the office of the local water district that was built in the 1930’s and abandoned in the 1990’s.

This cabin replaced the original home office that was built in the 1880’s and is still on the property. We will be restoring that home next year.

This cabin needed to be substantially repaired. This included a new roof, decks, covered porches, windows and doors. All exterior for now. We are going to repair the interior once we design and build the new custom home on another part of this 100 acre parcel.

The client wanted the remodel to be done right and gave me the freedom to pick high quality hardware and timber. The end result is a spectacular little cabin with a big presence. This is the type of cabin folks attempt to reproduce now. This historic beauty now has a new lease on life and will be enjoyed for generations to come.

Remodel work completed by my favorite contractor Ted Radetich of Radetich Construction (209) 352-4176.

What do you think?

Spec home for a graphic designer.This project started in 2016. We designed 6 different homes ranging from exceptionally ...
08/18/2023

Spec home for a graphic designer.

This project started in 2016. We designed 6 different homes ranging from exceptionally modern to mountain chalet. Personal setbacks and then Covid caused multiple delays. But after 6 years we chose this very simple 1200 sqft 3 bedroom 2.5 bath single slope roof design.

There isn’t a wasted inch in this home. I distilled the architectural elements down to specific moments in the final design. The entire home is designed around the kitchen/living room. This space has a huge open kitchen with a gorgeous central island. The room looks out onto to extruded roof front porch where I located the BBQ and garden half bath.

The bedrooms are accessed through the vaulted ceiling hallway which is flanked by clerestory windows. The two kids bedrooms are small but completely functional for the intended use of this getaway home. The master suite has a California King bed framed by full height windows.

The client chose the colors and furnishings. I was taken aback originally with the choice of blue for the exterior color. However, seeing the final product furnished makes an exciting impression. The blue cabinets with gold hardware was a bold choice. But it’s not overpowering. The muted wall tones and grey concrete floor and countertops allow the cabinets to float in space.

The client is making some professional photographs for his website. I’ll share those when ready.

Next step is landscaping and a Modpod pool!

What do you think?

One of my 5 pro-bono projects of the year.Bret is part of the German Baptist community in Tuolumne County. They have a r...
12/07/2022

One of my 5 pro-bono projects of the year.

Bret is part of the German Baptist community in Tuolumne County. They have a religious community similar to Amish and Mennonite. I have a great relationship with many from this community as there are a lot of exceptional craft people and carpenters in their community.

Bret his wife and four children (fifth on the way) have been living in an 800 sqft 1 bedroom cabin while they saved to build their forever home. I’m proud to be part of this community barn raising project.

I designed two structures for his property. First was a 5,000 sqft metal building that he uses as a fabrication shop for his roofing business. The second structure is this 3 bedroom 2 bath home. It’s always interesting working with religious communities as there are specific design applications that support their religious and community practices.

One of my favorite design strategies is to add attic trusses. I was able to provide an additional 1,000 sqft for almost no extra cost. This space will be used for two more bedrooms in the future as the children get older.

It’s not an over-the-top design. But that’s the point. This is a simple, honest, inexpensive and easy to build home. I’m so happy for Bret and his growing family.

Also, Bret is an amazing metal roofer. He does all my metal roof projects. So if you need a referral let me know.

Iteration #4.Slope House
11/12/2022

Iteration #4.

Slope House

Address

Twain Harte
Twain Harte, CA

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